Dockers CEO hoses down Lachie Neale trade talk

Fremantle have offered midfielder Lachie Neale a lucrative four-year contract extension, as the Dockers attempt to convince the clearance star to remain a one-club player.

The club’s most powerful figures have launched a desperate bid to hold onto Neale in the wake of news the Doig Medal favourite met with Brisbane during the season and is weighing up a substantial offer to move to the Lions.

Captain Nat Fyfe phoned Neale this week, while The Sunday Times understands club legend and current board member Peter Bell met with Neale late on Friday.

Chief executive Steve Rosich, who is also acting as Fremantle’s list boss in the wake of Brad Lloyd’s departure for Carlton, also held a meeting with Neale on Friday.

Neale has one season remaining on his current three-year deal and is due to become a restricted free agent at the end of 2019. The Dockers are likely to have to offer Neale an immediate pay rise for next season as part of any deal for the 25-year-old to re-commit.

Rosich said yesterday he was “extremely positive” about Neale signing a new long-term deal to remain at Fremantle and he had not contemplated what the onballer could net the Dockers at the trade table.

“Based on what we know about Lachie, the comments that Lachie made publicly as recently as Tuesday in his media conference about his love for the club and belief that we’re on the right path — and my conversation yesterday (Friday) with him — I feel extremely positive about Lachie continuing on beyond his current contract,” Rosich told 6PR.

Camera IconLachie Neale is a man in demand.Picture: Getty Images

The Neale saga is unlikely to be resolved quickly. News of Brisbane’s pursuit could now trigger the interest of a third party, particularly Victorian clubs that have targeted West Coast free agent Andrew Gaff and could switch that money to Neale as a back-up midfield option.

Rosich said he had no problem with Neale meeting with the Lions.

“There’s lots of clubs that talk to and meet with players from other clubs,” he said.

“It’s a bit hypocritical of me to say that shouldn’t occur or doesn’t occur, because we do exactly the same thing to players and player managers that are looking after players at other clubs.”

Out-of-contract Dockers Tommy Sheridan, Cam Sutcliffe and Brady Grey are all in limbo after being told at their exit meetings this week that Fremantle couldn’t offer them a new contract at this stage.

The Dockers have narrowed down their search for a new list manager, with a replacement for Lloyd expected to be in place before next month’s trade period.

Fremantle players are now on leave. The Doig Medal will be held on Saturday, October 6.